ISSUE 1, DECEMBER 2009 THE MAGAZINE 5 workwork lifelife balance 12 the world is a stage Standard Chartered is built on teamwork, partnership and the diversity of our people. Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Limited has been in operation in Nepal since 1987. The Bank is an integral part of Standard Chartered Group having an ownership of 75% and the balance owned by the Nepalese public. The bank is the largest international bank currently operating in Nepal. Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Limited offers a full range of banking products and services in Wholesale and Consumer banking. The bank has been the pioneer in introducing ‘customer focused’ products and services and aspires to continue to be the leader in introducing new products and in delivering superior services. For more information visit www.standardchartered.com/np Contents 3 Message from the CEO 28 MJ: Living my Dream 4 From the Editorial Desk 28 Rain 5 Chat it up: Work Life Balance 29 Shayna 8 The Art of Photography 30 Sharing Best Practices 11 A Trip to Muktinath 30 For Confession 12 The World is a Stage 31 Tears ON THE COVER 14 At Home 32 The Story of the Homeless, 16 Face to Face with Avi our National Programs and 18 Book Review My Heart’s Happiness Panchatatwa is a Sanskrit term, wherein 'Pancha' means 'five' and 'Tatwa' means 'truth' or 'reality'. 19 The Way 33 Kathin Bhayo 'Panchatatwa' represents the five elements from which life evolves - Prithvi (earth), Apas (water), Tejas 20 SCB Moments 34 The Red Festival (light), Maruta (wind) and Aakash (sky). At Standard Chartered, we have five values which make up the 22 A Peep into MBC & ABC Trek 36 The Dynamics of NC IC distinct SCB Culture: 23 Keynesian Stroke in the Exchange Rate Courageous - We stand up for what we believe to be 21st century 38 Unexpressed Words right. We accept accountability and take calculated risks. 23 Timi 38 Sketch Responsive - We listen to our customers and colleagues and build strong relationships based on 24 Photo Feature 38 Walkathon 2009 mutual respect. We work quickly, thoughtfully and 26 Langtang Trek effectively to deliver the best solution. International - We value our diversity. We share standards and best practice. We work together, as one Disclaimer: The ideas, views, expressions in the various articles of this issue of team across the Bank, for the benefit of our customers. Panchatatwa Magazine are those of the writer mentioned. It does not reflect the views of Standard Chartered Bank. Creative - We are innovative and imaginative in working with opportunities and challenges. We Please send us your feedbacks to [email protected] continuously improve the way we work, making it simpler, better and faster. Trustworthy - We do what is best for the Bank and our customers. We deliver on our promises and work to Design: Amnil Technologies high standards. We are reliable, open and honest. Printed in Nepal 2 Panchatatwa CEO'S MESSAGE Message from the CEO I welcome you to the first issue of The Panchatatwa Magazine. Panchatatwa’s transformation from a newsletter to a magazine is yet another prominent feather added to SCB Nepal’s glorious cap. Now is the opportunity to make good use of this widened rostrum to add wings to your thoughts and enthuse the world. Hinduism pronounces “Panchatatwa” I take pride in asserting that we have as the convergence of five elements achieved milestone after milestone to form the human body. For SCB in the journey of SCB towards it is the convergence of thoughts, excellence. Along with being upright ideas, aspirations, creativity and in terms of financial performance, we suggestions to form a reflection of the take great pride in being adjudged SCB culture. I extend my wishes to the best brand of the country. the newly constituted Editorial Board Nevertheless, we all need to be for coming up with the new issue. mindful of the fact that this pride I hope the momentum continues with instigates great expectations and the reformed team and we scale new responsibilities- expectations of all our heights year after year through this stakeholders and our responsibility to intellectual elixir. fulfill them. The times are turbulent and immense opportunities lie camouflaged- both organic and inorganic. I urge upon you to act in unison with each other to extract these opportunities. I am confident that with a strong team like ours no target will remain unattainable. I solicit your support to continue living the SCB culture and to continue being the BEST. Cheers Sujit Mundul Chief Executive Officer www.standardchartered.com/np 3 EDITORIAL From the Editorial Desk L to R: Anjani Amatya, Anish Dixit, Ashutosh Mani Dixit, Pranu Singh, Rabi Rayamajhi, Ibha Baidya We are amazed First and foremost we express our We thank the writers, poets and deepest gratitude to the CEO, Mr. other contributors who sent in their by the diversity Sujit Mundul, for his trust in us to expressions. We admit that not carry forward the resonant legacy of everything we received has been of experience Panchatatwa. published. Filtering was not an easy task but there were precincts people have in After brainstorming as to whether to be maintained. Many people Panchatatwa should remain the same inside the bank were also invited the bank. It was or go for a drastic change with the new to write. We are amazed by the editorial team, a middle approach was diversity of experience people have splendid to unveil chosen. Its essence remains the same. in the bank. It was splendid to unveil It continues to be our platform of sharing photographers, music lovers, artists, photographers, ideas, thoughts and experiences. writers, fanatic readers and adventure However, we hope you will feel a fresh lovers amidst full time bankers. music lovers, aroma as you turn the pages. We hope you wish that there was more of it when We are immensely grateful for their artists, writers, you close the last leaf. contribution to this issue-you all were truly our inspiration that kept fanatic readers We are also extremely proud to us going. With your continuous announce that Panchatatwa has not support, we promise you the best of and adventure only grown from a quarterly newsletter expressions in future as well. to a bi-annual magazine, it has also lovers amidst full crossed the boundaries of SCB- Panchatatwa is here for you. Nepal by reaching out to our external time bankers. stakeholders. By bringing Panchatatwa And in the meantime, we wish you closer to you, our family of contributors Happy Reading… and readers has grown bigger than ever. 4 Panchatatwa4 Panchatatwa CHAT IT UP Chat it up Work Life Balance Panchatatwa Editorial Board “Chat it Up” is a “Work Life Balance” – the 4. Shalini Parajuli-Assistant expression that was first used in Relationship Manager- regular section of late 1970s to describe the balance Development Organizations between an individual’s work and 5. Sunil Pokharel-Senior Business Panchatatwa in personal life, has now become major Development Manager- concern for all working individuals – Transaction Banking which selected subtly or profoundly. Over the past decade, there has been a substantial Work Life Balance to you- participants from increase in work which is felt to be What and How? due to an intensely competitive work Deependra is with SCB for the last the SCB staff are environment among other factors. 12 years and believes that work There has also been a notable life balance is attained by ensuring invited to discuss increase in workplace violence and rise that both your organization and the in absenteeism level along with rising people who wait for you at home are on a given topic workers’ compensation claims which happy. For him, it has always been are evidences of an unhealthy work the quality of time that has mattered over a cup of life balance. Employee-Assistance more than the quantity when it comes professionals state that there are to making his family feel better. coffee. The many causes for this situation ranging from personal ambition to the An employee of SCB for 18 years, subject matter pressure of family obligations. Sunil conceptualizes work life balance to be very subjective which for the first "Chat Lets us now have a view of what our depends upon the nature of the eminent group of participants had individual. He feels that even in similar it up" discussion to say about Work Life Balance. The work situations different individuals participants were: may take different length of time to is WORK LIFE 1. Chitra Bista-Cash Supervisor- wrap up a job. He also highlighted Lalitpur Branch that the role of Human Resource BALANCE. 2. Deependra Thapa-Product Department (HR) is vital in this Head, Auto Loan regard. He recommends undertaking 3. Mamata Shrestha-Assistant of appropriate research initiatives Manager- Consumer Support to unearth the status of work life Unit-CB balance among employees of the www.standardchartered.com/np 5 CHAT IT UP Chitra Bista Deependra Thapa Mamata Shrestha Cash Supervisor- Lalitpur Branch Product Head, Auto Loan Assistant Manager- Consumer Support Unit-CB organization with the consideration work-life. She recommends a that individuals differ in their basic proper analysis of an individual’s job work life related values. Living with description and the work hours. three dependants in the family, he cautions that the imbalance in work - The employer perspective also life can create an alarming situation, emerged out evidently from the leading to frustration and even discussion. The group felt that resignation in extreme cases. it is also the responsibility of the employer to play a facilitative role in For Chitra, mother of two, the his/her work life balance.